Miles earned nickname thanks to UF

GAINESVILLE — LSU coach Les Miles can thank the Florida Gators for his well-worn nickname, "The Mad Hatter."

Miles would welcome a little more predictability on the sideline, saying Wednesday his daring playcalling "is not something I want to do, I promise you."

But the Gators have inspired Miles' madness, no more than in 2007, when LSU scored on a fake field goal and was 5 of 5 on fourth down to upset Florida 28-24 and keep on track for the Tigers' national title run.

In 2010, Miles faked another field goal — using a bounce pass to the kicker — on the game-winning touchdown. In 2011, officials nullified a 44-yard touchdown run by punter Brad Wing due to excessive celebration, not that it mattered in LSU's 41-11 win.

"They've shown they're willing to take chances to win ballgames," Gators defensive coordinator Dan Quinn said. "That's a style they have and one certainly they've earned by the success they'd had."

The Gators continue to feel the loss of LB Ronald Powell, who tore the ACL in his left his knee during the spring game.

No one has replaced the pass rushing ability of Power, who led Florida with six sacks in 2011 and had a strong spring season.

"It's too early in the season to probably tell," Quinn said. "But he's a hard guy to replace."

Senior Lerentee McCray, who has filled in for Powell, has been solid, but UF has just five team sacks.